Originally Posted by
PDXCWL45
It probably won't happen but they do have a marketing deal with Qatar Airways so if they feel it's worth it they'll support a route/airline but Flybe needs an investor. Hopefully behind the scenes both the airport and the government will be lobbying potentional investors for Flybe.
It amases me why people think taking away Wales only airport with international connections and moving it too England would be good for Wales as a country? Cardiff may be small but it is in Wales which people seem to ignore is actually a country and not a region of England or a suburb of Bristol and Manchester. Guess it just shows how Wales and us Welsh are perceived by our neighbours.
Providing marketing support is a way to get around government aid payments. They aren't paying QR to be there, they are paying to advertise the route.
Behind the scenes the setup of blackbird at CWL is that some arm of CWL/WG is pretty much chartering the aircraft to run, with whatever else is included in the deal.
Do you really think the WG will invest in an Airline that's struggling that only operates what, 5% of its flights in Wales? There was uproar about buying CWL, it would be political suicide. Let's be realistic.
Airports are commercial entities, having CWL is political and patriotic, but in reality Filton is just as accessible as BRS and CWL and could've provided a much better airport for the southwest and Wales region which may have actually resulted in better links and a much busier airport. It's would still be accessible for people to fly from and work from. The tolls are going and it would be on major rail and road links. Easily accessible for Airport workers and crews.